Why Americans Always Exaggerate

“If a Big Mac with everything on it is awesome, then how do we describe the Grand Canyon?”

That must be my favorite quote from today’s episode.

Good question. But why do Americans say “Awesome !!!!!!!!” all the time? Generally, why do Americans exaggerate in everything?

I confess, I am guilty of this typically American habit: Place “awesome!”, Or “great!” Or “fantastic!” Just about everywhere …

Why?

Why do the Americans do that ?

I never really asked myself, not before 2 members of The SBFG Community, Céline & Christophe, told me that it was one of the most annoying things with the Americans: The tendency to use superlatives anytime.

Thanks so much, Céline & Christophe, for pointing it out to me!

As an American, I know that when another American exaggerates, it is simply to show that he appreciates something. He doesn’t really think that my idea of letting kittens wander around the office all day to reduce the stress of my colleagues (for example …) is “Totally awesome.” At best, he finds the idea amusing. But not awesome, awesome.

I know these codes of communication and why the Americans do that. But you ?

How do you know what your American colleague really thinks of your suggestion to make up for lost time on the project?

It can frustrate you, because you never know if your colleague thinks your idea is just “not too bad” or really exceptional.

This is another reason why the Americans seem superficial to the French. You are, in general, much more reserved in your enthusiasm.